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    Salem Township
    Salem Township
    Salem Township
    Ebook203 pages1 hour

    Salem Township

    By Dianna Beaudoin, Jean Loedeman Lam, Susan Kipen Welton and Salem Historical Committee

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    About this ebook

    Before white settlers came to the area that is now Salem Township, Potawatomi Indians hunted and fished in a forest filled with abundant wildlife. The settlers cleared the trees to work the land and built a lumber mill along Little Rabbit River. Salem was primarily a farming community carved out by hardworking pioneers. Four towns were established to serve this farming community: Diamond Springs to the south, New Salem to the north, and Burnips Corners and Salem Center (now known as Burnips) in the center. In 1855, Salem Township separated from Monterey Township; then, in the 1930s, the discovery of oil brought financial relief to Salem farm families who struggled to maintain their farms. A new wave of residents came to settle in the Salem area as men seeking work in the oil fields brought their families to the community.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateJan 11, 2010
    ISBN9781439639429
    Salem Township
    Author

    Dianna Beaudoin

    Dianna Berens Beaudoin grew up in Salem Township and currently lives in Burnips. Jean Loedeman Lam grew up in Salem Township and currently lives in Holland. Susan Kipen Welton grew up in Salem Township and currently lives in Kentwood. The three cochair the Salem Historical Committee. The community has opened its arms to this committee, sharing precious family photographs and memories to preserve them for future generations.

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      Book preview

      Salem Township - Dianna Beaudoin

      book.

      INTRODUCTION

      Salem Township has been in existence for over 150 years. It was part of Monterey Township but then became a township of its own in October 1855. The majority of the early settlers were of German descent, a large portion of whom came through Ohio. The township was built by hardworking people who had a deep sense of faith in God.

      The following pages show a brief personal glimpse into the past lives of the people of Salem Township and reflect the events that shaped the future generations.

      Into the solitude of the mighty forest came the sounds of the first white settler’s horse’s hooves and shouts of men seeking a new home to settle in. The quiet gave way as more and more settlers came into the area. They came from far to settle here since land was cheap and wood and game were plentiful. They could hear the howling of wolves under the starlit sky, and they hunkered over their campfires for warmth and safety. By day, they cleared enough trees to put up a shelter, and soon they had cleared enough land to plant their crops. The men that had come into the forests sent for their families once their shelters were ready. Every person in a family, no matter how young or old, was expected to help with the planting, harvesting, and chores to make everyday life possible.

      They cleared the land and established sawmills to cut the wood into boards to build homes, churches, and businesses. The lumber was also sold to neighboring communities.

      They brought their faith and met in each other’s homes and built wooden structures in which to worship God. Many denominations sprang up throughout the township, and each family could worship in their own way.

      As the need arose, businesses came into this small settlement and brought goods to meet the needs of the families. The small towns bustled, with farmers coming in for trading and supplies. Four small towns were established during this time: Burnips Corners, Diamond Springs, New Salem, and Salem Center. Before that time, the people traveled by foot or horse to the big towns of Allegan, Holland, or Grand Rapids. Some folks lived in the small communities and did not farm but instead ran various businesses. They kept their horses and chickens for eggs in their stables.

      People in the community still talk about the great 1937 fire of the Burnips Hotel, during the worst electrical storm that many had ever witnessed. An earlier fire destroyed an original hotel on the site, and lightning then destroyed the second one.

      There were unique businessmen that come to mind, such as Joseph Gorden, who as a furniture maker in the 1900s also sold coffins in his store. He heard about a new procedure called embalming, so he traveled to Grand Rapids to learn about this skill in a seminar. He then became the first undertaker in the area to embalm the deceased.

      Burnips was the home of Hudsonville Ice Cream, the ice cream of choice for much of lower Michigan. This creamery moved to Burnips in 1948 and was a large part of the community until it moved to Holland in 2003.

      Schools were established to educate the growing numbers of children. There were nine one-room schools throughout the township, placed a certain distance from each other since the children walked to school. The walk to school was sometimes a fun-filled happy time with friends through fields and streams. During the winter months, they still walked to school in their woolens, and if they were lucky, they could catch a ride on a buckboard going by. The children carried their lunch pail with sandwiches made of lard spread over bread. During the cold weather, the children brought a potato and set it next to the wood stove to cook for lunch. Playing ball was a favorite pastime of the schoolchildren. They made up teams and played against neighboring schools to see which would be the champion. This allowed them to visit and make new friends in neighboring schools. The one-room schools went up only to the eighth grade. Any child wishing to continue on to high school traveled to the Burnips School, which only went to 10th grade.

      Many young people met in groups and then paired off. There were many buggies or Model Ts slowly making their way down the sandy trails in the country. Many marriages were decided under the stars. Permission needed to be granted by the parents before a marriage was announced.

      The men of the community enjoyed hunting and fishing once chores were done. This brought friends together to reminisce and swap stories of the big one that had gotten away. Since game was still plentiful, their activities brought food to the table and sport for the men. The Depression saw many menfolk out hunting, fishing, or trapping to put food on the table in really hard times.

      Women of the community cared for each other during and after childbirth or sickness. They worshipped together and held picnics and quilting bees. They worked right alongside the men harvesting, and then they canned or preserved the meat, fruit, and vegetables. They also sewed their own family’s clothing, made their own soap, and presided over weekly baths. One tub full of water was used for the entire family, and one hoped to not be the last one.

      Life was extremely difficult, but there was always time for a barn raising, ice-cream social, or house party with dancing, horseshoes, and ball games. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Sons of Veterans, and the Rebekahs were among some of the societies in Salem Township.

      Many a tear was shed to see a son or loved one march off to serve the country. Almost every family was affected. Those represented in the photographs in the following pages are just a small sampling of the many men who served. The people of Salem Township have a deep pride in each one of the men and women who have served no matter in what capacity.

      In the 1930s, oil was discovered in the township, which brought in

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